Political Prisoner Dies in Burma Prison
By WAI MOE
Monday, July 21, 2008
Mandalay prison. (Photo: www.geogr.uni-goettingen.de/kus/pics/myan6.htm) CHIANG MAI — The 137th political prisoner died on July 18 due to a lack of health care in a Burmese prison, a Burmese human rights group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP) said in a press release on Sunday.
Khin Maung Tint (also known as Ya Pyi), 49, died in Mandalay Prison in Mandalay, the second largest city in Burma.
He was arrested and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for his pro-democracy activities in 1998, according the AAPP press release.
“The latest death reflects a kind of systematic execution of political prisoners that is going on in Burma’s prisons,” said Tate Naing, secretary of the AAPP. “Who can survive without adequate healthcare in Burma’s terrible prison conditions?”
snip
irrawaddy.org
........................................
Chiangmai Shans mark Martyrs Day
21 July 2008
Sao Sam Tun
For the second consecutive year, young Shans in Chiangmai came together yesterday, 20 July, a day later than the official Martyrs Day, to mark the fatal shooting that shook Burma in 1947.
“We honor all the martyrs,” said a young organizer of the event. “But we also wish to remember that our Shan leader Sao Sam Tun died from his wounds a day after the shooting.”
snip
shanland.org
.................................
Observers doubt Myanmar on ASEAN charter pledges SINGAPORE (Thomson Financial) - Military-ruled Myanmar on Monday formallyratified the ASEAN Charter but observers doubted the junta will live up to thedocument's ideals on democracy and human rights.
Foreign Minister Nyan Win presented his country's ratification during anannual meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast
AsianNations (ASEAN). In the charter, ASEAN members commit "to strengthen democracy, enhance goodgovernance and the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights andfundamental freedoms."
ASEAN has been widely criticised for its policy of "constructive engagement"regarding member Myanmar, which is under European Union and United Statessanctions over its human rights record.
Myanmar was also severely criticised internationally for its delay inallowing foreign aid into the country after a May 2-3 cyclone that left 138,000people dead or missing. It subsequently belatedly allowed aid workers to enter under an arrangementwith ASEAN and the United Nations.
"Myanmar's ratification of the charter today demonstrates our strongcommitment to embrace the common values and aspirations of the people of ASEANto build the ASEAN community, one that's together in partnership in a caring andsharing community," said the junta's foreign minister Nyan Win.
snip
orange.advfn.com
.............................................
STATEMENT BY ASEAN CHAIR, SINGAPORE'S MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN MYANMAR, SINGAPORE, 20 JULY 2008
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers had a full and frank discussion on the political situation in Myanmar. They were briefed by Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win on recent political developments, including the constitutional referendum in May 2008 and preparations for general elections to be held in 2010.
The Foreign Ministers expressed their deep disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's detention under house arrest had been extended by the Myanmar Government. They repeated the call by ASEAN Leaders for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees, as part of Myanmar's national reconciliation process. The Foreign Ministers reiterated their view that the Myanmar Government should engage in a meaningful dialogue with all political groups, and work towards a peaceful transition to democracy in the near future.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers also encouraged Myanmar to continue working closely with the Good Offices of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari in ensuring an inclusive process towards national reconciliation. They stressed the importance of Professor Gambari's work in helping Myanmar move forward. They welcomed the Myanmar Government’s invitation last week to Professor Gambari to visit Myanmar in August 2008 and reiterated their call for Myanmar to extend its fullest cooperation to Professor Gambari. They urged the Myanmar government to give him access to senior leaders and to facilitate meetings with the widest possible range of contacts, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
app.sprinter.gov.sg
............................................
Stop Burma aid, government urged 
The government has been told it should freeze humanitarian aid to Burma if it continues to be abused by the country's military rulers.
An influential committee of MPs claims further use of funds for anything other than relief by the Burmese junta should lead ministers to consider invoking their "responsibility to protect" to the south-east Asian country's population.
snip
viewlondon.co.uk
...............................................